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Welty Health and Counseling Center

Substance Use and Support Resources

The providers at Welty Health and Counseling Center are here to support you no matter what kind of relationship you have with substances. Wherever you are, we want to support you and your well-being. Both Narcan and Fentanyl Test Strips are available free of charge to all members of the Whitman community at various locations around campus, including Welty Health and Counseling Center and Reid Campus Center. 

Below are links to online self-assessment tools that may be helpful to you in putting your alcohol or other drug use into perspective. No alcohol or drug screening instrument can diagnose whether you have (or whether a friend has) a problem, but sometimes a screen may help you reflect more clearly on your use.

Alcohol eCHECKUP

If you are concerned about your drinking or drug use, we encourage you to explore the issues with an experienced counselor or physician. You can come to Welty Health and Counseling Center and meet with one of our providers for no charge. Untreated drug and alcohol problems can put you and others at risk for serious harm; it never hurts to look a little deeper.

Substance Use Disorder Counselor

Students may request Substance Use Disorder Counselor Lucinda Richards, MSW, LSWAIC, for substance use support, counseling, or education. Lucinda has personal experience with recovery and has worked extensively in the Walla Walla community providing substance use support.

profile of Lucinda Richards

The Substance Use Disorder Counselor will:

  • Provide substance use information and support.
  • Offer individual counseling services.
  • Provide BASICS and CASICS support.
  • Develop co-occurring treatment plans for mental health conditions and substance use disorders.
  • Help create recovery and relapse prevention plans.
  • Make referrals for community and clinical case management with Trishann Rice, MSEd, MHCA, for outpatient, inpatient and support group services.

    Contact the Substance Use Disorder Counselor:

      Weekly office hours for the Substance Use Disorder Counselor are held at the Welty Health and Counseling Center:

      • Monday–Wednesday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

      Resources in the Walla Walla area:

      Free Support Groups

      • Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a peer-led group that supports recovery from alcohol use through spiritual twelve-step meetings.
      • Al-Anon is for family and friends of individuals using alcohol. This group is separate from AA but is also based on the spiritual twelve steps. 
      • Celebrate Recovery is a spiritual 12-step group focusing on habits, hurts and hang-ups. 
      • Narcotics Anonymous (NA) is a peer-led group that helps anyone with a drug addiction through spiritual twelve-step meetings.
      • Overeaters Anonymous (OA) is a fellowship of individuals recovering from compulsive overeating by sharing experience, strength and hope. 
      • Recovery Dharma offers a Buddhist path to recovery that focuses on meditation, compassion, self-reflection, wisdom and building community.
      • Sexaholics Anonymous (SA) brings together individuals who support each other by sharing their experiences, strength and hope. Together, they work to overcome their shared challenges and help others recover. 
      • Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART) are peer groups that help individuals recover from any addictive behavior.
      • SMART Recovery Family & Friends meetings provide a dedicated space for those whose loved ones struggle with addiction.

      Additional Information

      The staff of the Counseling Center have a very high level of concern for and respect toward the confidentiality of individuals receiving services from this office. Staff collect, record and store client information only as needed for the effective and legal provision of services. All information is considered privileged and is maintained as confidential, consistent with ethical guidelines as well as the Washington State and federal statutes. The services of the Counseling Center are separate from any other student records kept at Whitman College. Information revealed in counseling sessions will remain confidential, except in cases of imminent danger to the client or another, when mandated by law, or when permission is granted to release information.

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